Polk Laffoon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Polk Laffoon
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 2nd district |
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| In office March 4, 1885 – March 3, 1889 |
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| Preceded by | James Franklin Clay |
| Succeeded by | William Thomas Ellis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 24, 1844 Madisonville, Kentucky |
| Died | October 22, 1906 (aged 61) Madisonville, Kentucky |
| Resting place | Odd Fellows Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Relations | Ruby Laffoon (nephew) |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Branch/service |  Confederate States Army |
| Unit |  Co F, 8th Regiment, Kentucky Mounted Infantry (Confederate); Co I, 10th Ky Cavalry (Johnson's) |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
James Knox Polk Laffoon (born October 24, 1844 – died October 22, 1906) was an important American politician from Kentucky. He served as a U.S. Representative, which means he was a member of the U.S. Congress. He helped make laws for the country.
Contents
Early Life and Joining the Army
Polk Laffoon was born near Madisonville, Kentucky, in 1844. He went to local schools when he was young.
When the Civil War began in 1861, Polk Laffoon was only 17 years old. He joined the Confederate States Army. He became a lieutenant, which is an officer rank.
Captured in Battle
Polk Laffoon was captured by the other side during the war. This happened at the Battle of Fort Donelson in February 1862. He was held as a prisoner of war at Camp Morton in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Later, in September 1862, he was part of a prisoner exchange in Vicksburg. This meant he was traded for another soldier. After being released, he joined a different group of soldiers, the 10th Kentucky Cavalry Regiment. He became a lieutenant again.
In July 1863, he was captured once more in Cheshire, Ohio. He spent the rest of the war as a prisoner.
After the War: Teacher and Lawyer
When the Civil War ended in 1865, Polk Laffoon was set free. He then became a school teacher for two years.
After teaching, he decided to study law. In 1867, he passed his exams and became a lawyer. He started his law practice in Madisonville, Kentucky. He also worked as the prosecuting attorney for Hopkins County. This meant he represented the government in court cases.
Serving in Congress
Polk Laffoon was a member of the Democratic Party. He was elected to the U.S. Congress two times. He served in the Forty-ninth and Fiftieth Congresses. His time in Congress was from March 4, 1885, to March 3, 1889.
While in Congress, he was the chairman of a special group. This group was called the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of War. This committee looked at how money was spent in the War Department. He decided not to run for reelection in 1888.
Later Life
After leaving Congress, Polk Laffoon went back to being a lawyer in Madisonville. He passed away there on October 22, 1906. He was buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Madisonville.
Polk Laffoon had a nephew named Ruby Laffoon. Ruby Laffoon later became the Governor of Kentucky. He served as governor from 1931 to 1935.
